In Student Scoop, we hear the real, first-hand accounts of the private school experience from the students themselves.
Mulgrave School student Juliette Levine is on team Canada at the World Individual School’s Debate and Public Speaking Competition in Brisbane, Australia. Follow her blog entries as she describes the experience Down Under. Up next – rehearsals and how she spent her last day in Sydney!
Juliette, Gr. 12
Goodbye Sydney, Hello Brisbane
April 1, 2011
Our last day in Sydney was unfortunately upon us this Friday. Since we had no scheduled activities, we didn’t have to wake up as early as previous days and had a small sleep in, though not for long, since we didn’t want to waste any of our precious time in Sydney. I spent several hours in the morning rehearsing my speech for the competition which is approaching quickly. I performed my speech to the window of our hotel room looking out over the Sydney Opera House which was quite spectacular. After this some people chose to continue preparing for another four hours, and those of us who felt more confident went on a trip to Manly Beach. Ever since we arrived in Sydney, people had been encouraging us to visit Manly so we really wanted to. Although it was overcast when we headed out on the ferry ride, the clouds soon parted and we had a beautiful sunny day to lie on the beach and explore this new area.
We went straight from the beach back to our hotel and got right on a taxi to go to the hotel without even changing out of our bathing suits and covered in sand (though we later got a chance to change). We had a short flight between Sydney and Brisbane and then drove from the airport through the city of Brisbane which seemed to be buzzing to where we are staying and the competition will be held. I only got to see this area at night, but it looked beautiful–there were hundreds of boats in a marina right in the centre. It seems like a small seaside village kind of place, though I might be wrong since I haven’t gotten to really explore it. I met my billet upon arrival whose three grandsons go to Moreton Bay Boys College (where the competition is to be held). She is extremely nice and accommodating.
I am writing this in the morning after being woken up in an extremely unusual way. It sounds like I’m in the middle of the rainforest (maybe I am). There are so many sounds of various animals outside especially exotic birds.
The competition officially starts today with an opening ceremony and cocktail party – I will keep you posted on how this goes!
